How can I persuade my son to eat more vegetables and fruit?!
How can I persuade my son to eat more vegetables and fruit?
Any healthy recipies that your children like? I don't want to bribe or force him.
Answers:
1. you could disguise it in his food. blend it up in the pasta sauce, or mash it up in potatos, or use other veggies to mash. like yams, sweet potatoe, turnips. if you make burger patties grate them fine and then add it to the meat, or make home made veggie burgers. that way it's hidden by a bun, cheese condiments etc! be creative.
2. if you ever want them to eat veggies without having to disguise it all the time try this, it will take lots of patience and time but it should work in the long run.
introduce a simple veggie at the dinner table, naturally they will decline. the important thing is not to make a big deal out of it! when they say no take it away and try again the next meal. the more you make a big deal out of it the more likely they will build it up in their mind that they want to create an issue out of it, it becomes a power struggle for them and it end's not even being about the food anymore.
children adapt, if they see the same thing over and over again without an issue and everyone else is eating it and enjoying it they may eventually want to try it.
3. remember that children's taste bud's are very sensitive and sour or bitter tastes are stronger for them( broccoli or spinach), so try to get them to choose something in the store, help prepare it and maybe they will be more inclined to want to eat it!
hope this helps.
One of the best ways is to let him participate in the preperation of the food. Such as making a salad or if he's old enough cutting up the vegetables and fruit. It makes them feel more obligated to eat them especially when they are making it for the family or outsiders. Plus it's time you get to spend with your kids where you can ask about their day or talk about stuff.
Have you tried making juice out of these veggies or fruits? You can mix veggies with fruits. Go out and buy a juicer. Give your son a glass of juice with his meals. This way, he'll get his daily requirements and you'll feel happy that it's in his system.
mix them with his favorite food and ask him to try it and if he doesn't like he don't have to eat it. Then try it a different way the next time.
let him help and be creative...some things that have helped with my kid is like veggie kabobs it fascinates them because its something different not just veggies on a plate and maybe try desserts like fruit pizzas :) it almost always works